Restorative poses are derived from Hatha Yoga poses, although the English names may have been changed because instructors come from a mix of lineages. Although some poses are similar, they are set apart from their original styles to adjust the posture for the unique body of the student. This is a different approach, which Paulji teaches, in that the body does not have to fit a preconceived mold.
Most yoga teacher training programs offer two levels of classes: a 200 hour class and a 500 hour class. The 200 hour class is the basic course that all yoga instructors must pass, while the 500 hour class is available for ambitious, passionate and studious instructors looking to launch their careers to the next level.
The Yoga teacher who turns his or her back to students, while teaching a group has decided to perform rather than partake in teaching yoga.
Some of the many conditions Yoga therapy has relieved are: Depression, insomnia, breathing difficulties, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, mourning, sciatica and muscle tension, autoimmune illnesses, nervousness, perfectionism, and many other ailments.
Meditation, concerning objective viewpoints, is a Yogic tool for the advancement of all humanity. Humankind must learn to compromise with new ideas. Training the mind is the ultimate investment in Yoga practice. Objective thought is the guiding light to self-discovery and the Eight Limbs described by Patanjali.
It is amazing how much time teachers spend on independent research and specialized yoga teacher training. However, we know that yoga instructors need educational resources and training to help the world become a better place.
A good Power Yoga teacher should be able to push the class in a positive, yet firm, direction on how to get the most out of every workout. Keep in mind that there might be people that have never tried Power Yoga as well as experienced students.
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP “What should I know about how to teach Yoga classes?” Some interns say it out loud, and many more think about the knowledge required before teaching. After all, teaching Yoga isn’t easy, but any enthusiast with strong social skills should be able to teach classes. The key is …
The word “compassion” has a many different meanings that can essentially be encapsulated by terms such as mercy, charity, sensitivity, love, and tenderness. Take a moment to imagine again that the aforementioned impatient Yoga instructor took a deep breath and remembered to be compassionate with her struggling, beginning student, as she attempted to touch her toes in Standing Forward Fold. Instead of impatiently insisting that the student touch her toes, regardless of the degree of flexibility in her hamstrings, imagine that the teacher took a deep breath and approached her student in a compassionate, gentle manner.
Despite my best efforts to do just that, some of the children have difficulty maintaining focus and following the postures and movements I have been guiding them in. The atmosphere has therefore sometimes devolves into overall chaos, me losing control of the group. At those times, the teachers have sometimes not intervened. At other times, they strongly and clearly have. For instance, one teacher has taken children out of the group, for what I sometimes perceived as minor infractions. Other teachers have yelled at the children, with clear anger in their voices, to stop “fooling around” and listen to me. I haven’t felt comfortable attempting to override those disciplinary actions; though they have been directly against my philosophies and instruction practices, and the groups are mine to lead, they are still the teachers’ classrooms. To me, it hasn’t been worth it to create more negative energy through further objections.